A Summer Paradise
About 40 minutes southwest of Panzano is a hidden gem, Colle Val d’Elsa. The name, “Hill of Elsa Valley” offers a clue to the allure of this medieval village. Your first glimpse from a distance is of the tawny stones of the jumble of ancient homes with their distinctive terra cotta roofs. The requisite church tower and fortified walls come into view as you zig zag up the road into the village. A huge brick cistern is a memorable landmark to recall where you parked!
A prominent landmark in Colle Val D’Else
The village is just one more delightful example of life here that has continued through the centuries, making only necessary adjustments to modernity. This village sits on the Siena side of the Siena/Florence border so was an enemy of my village of Panzano in that fuedal past!
Just steps from that giant cistern was the restaurant where I enjoyed one of my prosciutto and melon treats. But the best treat of the day was the brief hike along the Sentierelsa Trail. This steep, narrrow, uneven and rocky trail (read as semi-treacherous!) with unsteady hand rails and a rope guide tracks through forests along the Elsa River from high above at street level down to a large final pool. As you descend you catch glimpses of the famed aquamarine water, cascading waterfalls and sheltered swimming holes.
A friend had mentioned how refreshing it was to splash in the cool river water so a few weeks ago, desperate for a little relief from the near 40C temps ( that’s hovering around 100 degrees F!) I headed to the trail.
I wasn’t surprised that I wasn’t the only one who had this bright idea! I arrived to find the trail clogged with people and dogs. Every open spot on the bank and alongside the pools was claimed by families and groups whose towels and chairs established their ownership.
Children splashed in the shallow pools. Bathers sunned themselves on the boulders strewn across the river. I managed to find one spot to chill my toes. Caution and common sense prevented me from taking a swim. I couldn’t find a safe spot to jump in and was minus a swim buddy. But the beauty of the river, some time in the shade of the towering trees and the tiny dip were a refreshing relief on that hot day.
I loved this whimsical scuplture blowing bubbles over the ancient fortification of the village
